Exercise apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

An exercise device is disclosed wherein the exercise device is composed of a flexible, sealed tube, two handles disposed at the distal ends of the tube, and an aperture whereby material may be introduced into the interior of the flexible tube. The exercise device may alternately be composed of an interior tube within an exterior tube, both the interior and the exterior tubes having apertures through which material may be introduced. The material which may be introduced into the flexible tube by means of the aperture may optionally be solid, semi-solid, liquid or gas. The material introduced through the aperture serves as a weight in the use of the exercise device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable exercise devices which may be filled with a material for increased resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

The prior art, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,926,482, 8,262,546 and 8,870,717, provide for fillable exercise devices, wherein the fillable exercise devices are rigid plastic receptacles for a weighted material, creating a weighted mass for use in fitness regimes. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/166,610 allows for a flexible, fillable exercise device, wherein the device may be used as a weighted device. The prior art, however, fails to address the need for a flexible, fillable device with handles attached thereto, designed to be manipulated and swung for the purpose of personal fitness.

There is therefore a long-felt need to provide a method and device that provide exercise by means of a fillable device allowing for swinging and manipulation.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Towards these objects and other objects that will be made obvious in light of the present disclosure an exercise apparatus is provided which includes a flexible tubular body, wherein the tubular body contains an aperture through which a weighted bolus may introduced to and/or removed from the tubular body; and two handles attached to the tubular body at either end thereof. The weighted bolus may be or comprise a plurality of preferred materials, including but not limited to, liquid, semi-solid, solid, and/or gas.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invented exercise apparatus, the exercise device may comprise an outer flexible tubular body disposed substantively surrounding an inner tubular body, wherein the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body both contain an aperture through which a weighted bolus may be introduced and/or removed therefrom. The second preferred embodiment of the invented exercise apparatus also preferably includes two handles, wherein the two handles are preferably composed of an ergonomically grippable material, and are disposed at either end of the second preferred embodiment.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1A is a top view of the invented exercise device, in an empty position;

FIG. 1B is a top view of the invented exercise device, wherein a weighted bolus has been introduced into the invented exercise device;

FIG. 1C is a view of the invented device in the “use” position;

FIG. 2A is a view of the invented device wherein the weighted bolus is contained within an inner bag;

FIG. 2B is a view of the invented device wherein the weighted bolus is contained within an inner bag in the “use” position;

FIG. 3A is a close-up view of a first optional aperture fastening of the invented device, when the first optional aperture fastening is open;

FIG. 3B is a close-up view of a second optional aperture fastening of the invented device, when the second optional aperture fastening is open;

FIG. 3C is a close-up view of the first optional aperture fastening of the invented device, when the first optional aperture fastening is closed;

FIG. 3D is a close-up view of the second optional aperture fastening of the invented device when the second optional aperture fastening is closed;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the second embodiment of the invented device (hereinafter “the second version”), in an empty position;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the second version, wherein the weighted bolus has been introduced into the inner tubular body, but the outer tubular body is substantively empty;

FIG. 4C is a top view of the second version, wherein the weighted bolus has been introduced into the outer tubular body, but inner tubular body is substantively empty;

FIG. 4D is a top view of the second version, wherein a weighted bolus has been introduced into both the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body; and

FIG. 5 is a view of the second version in the “use” position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A is a top view of the invented exercise device 2, in an empty position. The invented device 2 first comprises a tubular body 4. The tubular body 4 of the invented device 2 may be composed of any suitable flexible, liquid-proof material with sufficient strength and durability to prevent any tearing of the tubular body 4 by a weighted bolus 6 (hereinafter, “bolus” 6), including polyethylene or other suitable materials known in the art. The tubular body 4 preferably presents a greater length than width, as a non-limiting example, in a flat, unfilled position, the length of the tubular body 4 between a first handle 8A and a second handle 8B may be L, and the width of the tubular body 4 may be ⅙L. The tubular body 4 further preferably tapers from a center width of the tubular body 4 to the connection of the tubular body 4 with the first and second handles 8A-8B, creating a substantively elongated almond shape. The tubular body 4 contains an aperture 10 through which a weighted bolus may introduced and/or removed; the aperture 10 may optionally be a first optional aperture fastening 12, comprising an access port 14 which may be plugged with a stopper 16, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C or the aperture 10 may optionally be a second optional aperture fastening 18, comprising slit 20 in the tubular body 4, which may be sealed by means of a zipper closure 22 and/or by a hook and loop closure 24, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D. The sealing methods of FIGS. 3A-3D are intended only to be exemplary of possible aperture 10 closures, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The edges of the tubular body 4, both on the periphery thereof, and on the distal ends thereof, are preferably permanently sealed in a liquid-proof manner to one another by means of heat coupling or other suitable permanent sealing methods known in the art. The first and second handles 8A-8B disposed at the distal ends of the exercise device are preferably composed of an ergonomic material, which a user 26 may easily grip for extended periods of time. The first and second handles 8A-8B may optionally be designed of a material which substantively conforms to the specific hand shape of a user 26. A first or second loop 28A-28B of natural fibers or manmade fibers including various plastic materials, may be coupled with the first or second handles 8A-8B, respectively, for the purpose of fastening around a user's 26 wrist to enhance the safety and usability of the invented device 2.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B is a top view of the invented exercise device 2, wherein a bolus 6 has been introduced into the invented exercise device 2, and is free to move within the tubular body 4. When a bolus 6 is introduced into the invented device 2, and the invented device 2 is in a substantively flat, the bolus 6 may distribute substantively evenly throughout the tubular body 4, increasing a body height H substantively uniformly across the tubular body 4. The bolus 6 may optionally be liquid (e.g. water), semi-liquid (e.g. mud), semi-solid (e.g. sand) and/or entirely sold (e.g. a weighted ball). The above examples of possible composition for the bolus 6 are intended only for illustration, and are not to be taken as a restriction to the invention. The bolus 6 preferably fills less than half of the total possible volume V of the tubular body 4, such that bolus 6 may easily flow throughout the tubular body 4. To increase the efficiency of the flow of the bolus 6 within the tubular body 4, the remaining portion of the tubular body 4 is preferably substantively voided of remaining air.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 1C, FIG. 1C is a view of the invented device 2 in the “use” position. The “use” position of the invented device 2 is the position in which a user 26 might rest with the invented device 2 in hand. The first and second handles 8A-8B are shown to be proximate to one another, the tubular body 4 is shown to be in a substantively “U” shape, and the bolus 6 is concentrated at a new bottom of the tubular body 4, at the curve of the “U” shape. The curve of the “U” shape is shown to be distended with the weight of the bolus 6, exerting a force on the first and second handles 8A-8B, and thus exerting a force on the user 26. The concentration of bolus at the end of the “U” shape allows a user 26 to create momentum with the invented device 2, so that the user 26 may engage in an exercise regime based upon generating and arresting momentum of the bolus 6 within the tubular body 4.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2A is a view of the invented device 2 in a flat position, wherein the bolus 6 is contained within an inner bag 30, positioned within the tubular body 4. The inner bag 30 within which the bolus 6 is positioned may optionally be composed of the same or a similar flexible, liquid-proof material with sufficient strength and durability to prevent any tearing of the inner bag 30 by the bolus 6, including polyethylene or other suitable materials known in the art. The inner bag 30 may further optionally be lubricated on the outside to facilitate the movement of the inner bag 30 within the tubular body 4. The lubricant 32 disposed between the inner bag 30 and the tubular body 4 may optionally be of natural extraction (such as, but not limited to, olive oil) or of synthetic extraction (such as, but not limited to, glycerin and hydroxyethyl cellulose). The bolus 6 contained within the inner bag 30 is preferably liquid, semi-solid, or semi-liquid. The inner bag 30 further contains an inner bag aperture 34, which inner bag aperture 34 may be an access port 14, sealed by means of a plug as described in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C, or which may be a longer slit 20, sealed by means of a zipper closure 22 or a hook and loop closure 24, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D. In this embodiment, the aperture 10 of the tubular body 4 is preferably as described in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2B, FIG. 2B is a side view of the invented device 2, wherein the bolus 6 is contained within an inner bag 30 when the invented device 2 is in the “use” position. The tubular body 4 is shown to be in a “U” shape, with the first and second handles 8A-8B positioned substantively proximate to one another at the top of “U,” and with the inner bag 30 containing the bolus 6 disposed at the bottom of the “U” shape. The entire volume V of the inner bag 30 may optionally be filled with the bolus 6, but the entire volume V of the inner bag 30 is preferably less than half than the total volume V of the tubular body 4, such that the inner bag 30 may flow smoothly within the tubular body 4. The tubular body 4 is further preferably substantively voided of air, to further facilitate the movement of the inner bag 30 within the length of the tubular body 4.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A is a close-up view of a first optional aperture fastening 12 of the invented device 2, wherein the first optional aperture fastening 12 of the invented device 2 is open. The first optional aperture fastening 12 device is preferably a port, which shown in the drawing to be substantively circular, but which may be any suitable shape for a port through which material may pass. The first optional aperture fastening 12 device is preferably composed of a hard rubber material, such as but not limited to silicone, optionally more durable than the material comprising the tubular body 4. A stopper 16, also composed of a durable rubber material, such as silicone, or a less flexible plastic material than that of the tubular body 4, may insert securely and stably into the rubber port, effectively sealing the tubular body 4 against leakage of the bolus 6. The stopper 16 may further comprise a tab 36 composed of the same durable rubber material as the stopper 16, on which a user 26 may exert force to remove the stopper 16 from the port. Such an aperture fastening 12 may be optimal when using the invented device 2 specifically with a liquid bolus 6. Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3B is a close-up view of a second optional aperture fastening 18 of the invented device 2, wherein the second optional aperture fastening 18 of the invented device 2 is open. The second optional aperture fastening 18 device is preferably a slit 20 in the side of the tubular body 4 adapted to receive a large, non-liquid bolus 6. The slit 20 may optionally run the entire length L of the tubular body 4, half of the length L of the tubular body 4, or less than half of the length L of the tubular body 4. The slit 20 may optionally be sealed by any liquid-proof sealing method known in the art, including but not limited to hook and loop closure 24 and/or a zipper closure 22. The drawing shows a zipper closure 22 on the second optional aperture fastening 18, but this is for the sake of clarity only, and is not intended to be a limitation on the means of closing the second optional aperture fastening 18.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C is a close-up view of the first optional aperture fastening 12 of the invented device 2, when the first optional aperture fastening 12 is closed. The stopper 16 of the first optional aperture fastening 12 is shown to be securely and stably inserted into the access port 14 of the first optional aperture fastening 12, creating a seal which optimally restricts the movement of the bolus 6 from the interior of the tubular body 4 to the exterior of the tubular body 4.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 3D, FIG. 3D is a close-up view of the second optional aperture fastening 18 of the invented device 2 when the second optional aperture fastening 18 is closed. The drawing shows a zipper closure 22 on the second optional aperture fastening 18, but this is for the sake of clarity only, and is not intended to be a limitation on the means of closing the second optional aperture fastening 18. The zipper closure 22 is shown to be securely closed, creating a seal which optimally restricts the movement of the bolus 6 from the interior of the tubular body 4 to the exterior of the tubular body 4.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4A is a top view of the second embodiment of the invented device (hereinafter “the second version 38”), in an empty position. The second version 38 comprises an outer tubular body 40, wherein the outer tubular body 40 substantively surrounds an inner tubular body 42. The inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40 of the second version 38 may be composed of any suitable flexible, liquid-proof material with sufficient strength and durability to prevent any tearing of the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40 by the bolus 6; such materials include polyethylene or other suitable materials known in the art. The inner tubular body 42 contains an inner tubular aperture 44, which may optionally be of the type described in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C or may optionally be of the type described in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D. The outer tubular body 40 contains an outer tubular aperture 46, which may further optionally be of the type described in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C or may further optionally be of the type described in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D. The ends of the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40 both on the periphery of the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40, and on the distal ends of the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40, are preferably permanently sealed in a liquid-proof manner by means of heat coupling or other suitable permanent sealing methods known in the art. Disposed at the distal ends of, and preferably surrounding the ends of, the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40, are a first handle and a second handle. The first and second handles 8A-8B are preferably composed of an ergonomic material which allows for easy gripping of the first and second handles 8A-8B by the user 26 for an extended period of time.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 4B, FIG. 4B is a top view of the second version 38, wherein the bolus 6 has been introduced into the inner tubular body 42, but the outer tubular body 40 is substantively empty. The bolus 6 may be introduced into the inner tubular body 42 by disengaging both the outer tubular aperture 46 and the inner tubular aperture 44, and inserting the bolus 6 into the inner tubular body 42 through the inner tubular aperture 44, preferably filling less than half of the total volume V of the inner tubular body 42. Subsequently, the inner tubular body 42 may be substantively voided of excess air, such that the bolus 6 may move smoothly within the inner tubular body. The inner tubular aperture 44 and the outer tubular aperture 46 are then sealed, so that the bolus 6 cannot escape, and the second version 38 is used as desired by a user 26.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 4C, FIG. 4C is a top view of the second version 38, wherein the bolus 6 has been introduced into the outer tubular body 40, but inner tubular body 42 is substantively empty. The bolus 6 may be introduced into the outer tubular body 40 by means of the outer tubular aperture 46; the inner tubular aperture 44 remains closed throughout this process, unless the user 26 wishes to substantively void the air from the inner tubular body 42. The bolus 6 preferably fills less than half of the outer tubular body 40, such that the bolus 6 may flow smoothly within the outer tubular body 40, and around the inner tubular body 42. The external side of the inner tubular body 42 may be lubricated, to facilitate the flow of the bolus 6 around the inner tubular body 42, particularly if the bolus 6 is semi-solid The lubricant 32 disposed between the inner tubular body 42 and the bolus 6 in outer tubular body 40 may optionally be of natural extraction (such as, but not limited to, olive oil) or of synthetic extraction (such as, but not limited to, glycerin and hydroxyethyl cellulose).

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 4D, FIG. 4D is a top view of the second version 38, wherein a bolus 6 has been introduced into both the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40. An weighted inner bolus 48 (hereinafter “inner bolus 48”) and an weighted outer bolus 50 (hereinafter “outer bolus 50”) may optionally be composed of the same material (e.g. both liquid), or the inner bolus 48 and the outer bolus 50 may optionally be composed of different materials (e.g. liquid in the outer tubular body 40 and semi-solid in the inner tubular body 42). The inner bolus 48 may optionally be liquid (e.g. water), semi-liquid (e.g. mud), semi-solid (e.g. sand) and/or entirely sold (e.g. a weighted ball). The outer bolus 50 may also optionally be liquid (e.g. water), semi-liquid (e.g. mud), semi-solid (e.g. sand) and/or entirely sold (e.g. a weighted ball). The above examples of possible composition for the inner bolus 48, and the outer bolus 50 are intended only for illustration, and are not to be taken as a restriction to the invention. In this implementation of the second version 38, the inner tubular body 42 is preferably filled before the outer tubular body 40. The inner bolus 48 may be introduced into the inner tubular body 42, preferably filling less than half of the total volume V of the inner tubular body 42, and the inner tubular aperture 44 is subsequently sealed. Upon sealing the inner tubular aperture 44, the outer tubular body 40 may be filled, preferably to less than half of the total volume V of the outer tubular body 40. The outer bolus 50 introduced into the outer tubular body 40 may optionally be the same bolus 6 as was introduced into the inner tubular body 42, or may optionally be a different outer bolus 50 than was introduced into the inner tubular body 42. The outer tubular aperture 46 is subsequently sealed, and the user 26 may utilize the second version 38 as desired.

Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a view of the second version 38 in the “use” position. The “use” position of the second version 38 is the position in which a user 26 might rest with the second version 38 in hand. The first and second handles 8A-8B are shown to be proximate to one another, the both the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40 are shown to be in a substantively “U” shape. Further, the inner bolus 48 and/or the outer bolus 50 is/are concentrated at the new bottom of the tubular body, at the curve of the “U” shape. The curve of the “U” shape is shown to be distended with the weight of the inner bolus 48 and/or the outer bolus 50, exerting a force on the first and second handles 8A-8B, and thus exerting a force on the user 26. The concentration of the inner and/or the outer bolus 50 end of the “U” shape allows a user 26 to create momentum with the second version 38, so that the user 26 may engage in an exercise regime based upon generating and arresting momentum of the inner bolus 48 and the outer bolus 50 within the inner tubular body 42 and the outer tubular body 40, respectively.

The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible configurations or aspects of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred configurations or aspects of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a tubular body having an access port; a weighted bolus (“bolus”), the bolus adapted for insertion into and removal from the tubular body through the access port; and a pair of handles, each handle coupled to the tubular body at opposing ends of the tubular body.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lubricant, the lubricant disposed on an outer surface of the bolus.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bolus comprises an outer bag and an inner material, wherein the inner material is substantively encapsulated by the outer bag.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a lubricant, the lubricant disposed on an outer surface of the outer bag.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bolus is substantively spherical.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bolus is liquid.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bolus further comprises an outer bag encapsulating the liquid.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable fastener, the adjustable fastener coupled with the access port and adapted to alternately allow opening and closing of the access port.
 9. An exercise apparatus comprising: an outer tubular body; an inner tubular body positioned substantively within the outer tubular body; a first volume of material (“first volume”), the first volume positioned within the inner tubular body; and a pair of handles, each handle coupled to the outer tubular body at opposing ends of the outer tubular body.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second volume of material (“second volume”), the second volume positioned within the outer tubular body.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first volume is a liquid.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first volume comprises a liquid.
 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first volume comprises a liquid solution.
 14. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first volume comprises a solid material.
 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a lubricant disposed between the first volume and the inner tubular body.
 16. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second volume is a liquid.
 17. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second volume comprises a liquid.
 18. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second volume comprises a liquid solution.
 19. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the outer tubular body comprises an access port, and the second volume is adapted for insertion into and removal from the outer tubular body through the access port.
 20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an adjustable fastener, the adjustable fastener coupled with the access port and adapted to alternately allow for insertion into of the second volume and removal of the second volume from the outer tubular body through the access port. 